Fluella the Royal Flea

The Vet was about to leave the Palace. He had been called in to
collect one of the prince's pets. Fluella was curious. She had never
seen an ordinary person before. She jumped as high as she could to get
a better view of this ordinary person. Fluella landed in the Vet's
pocket. It was very dark in the Vet's pocket.

Fluella searched the pocket for food, but there wasn't any. The only
things in the pocket were a few bits of fluff in the corner and a
handkerchief. The fluff was cosy and warm. Fluella settled herself down
for a short nap.

"Atchoo," sneezed the Vet, as he pulled his handkerchief from out of
his pocket.

Suddenly Fluella was flying through the air. She landed on to a strange
floor. She looked around her. On the floor nearby was a scruffy looking
dog. Sitting close-by was another flea.

"Hello love," said the scruffy flea. "Come for yer tea, 'ave
you?"

Fluella looked at the scruffy flea. "How dare you?" asked Fluella
haughtily. "Why, goodness me, I could possibly catch anything from that
mangy thing."

"Well, well, well. What have we here, then? A fussy flea. And what
would madam usually have for tea then?" asked the scruffy flea.

"I, only eat from the very best. I, come from the Palace," said Fluella
looking down her nose.

"Well, suit yourself, love," said the scruffy flea. "But when I'm
hungry I eat 'owt. I'm not fussy."

"That's because you're common. Once you've tasted the best, you can't
possibly try the rest," said Fluella, as she jumped high above the
scruffy flea's head.

Fluella landed on to the vet's table. Oh, how she wished she were back
at the Palace. What delights she'd had there. She had never had any
trouble getting good food. No quite the contrary. Even if the Royal
dogs were not available, there was always a human or two in an
emergency.

"Oi," shouted the scruffy flea from beneath her. "Has madam got a
name?"

"Yes, of course I have a name. It's Fluella and I am a ROYAL FLEA. Have
you got a name?"

"Yes, m'lady," answered the scruffy flea sarcastically. "My name's
Jumping Jack. Jack to my friends. But you may call me Jumping
Jack."

"Well, I never. How dare you be so impertinent to a Royal?" said
Fluella indignantly.

Jack bowed low and said, "I dare Madam, and will you stop using them
big words, 'cause I don't understand them? Now is Madam comin' for her
tea or not?"

"No, I shall stop here, until some proper food comes along," said
Fluella tossing her head in the air.

Fluella didn't have to wait long. Through the waiting room door came a
large spotted dog.

"Aaaaargh," Fluella screamed as she jumped quickly off the table.
"Em..., excuse me Jack," Fluella said as she landed on the floor.

"Back so soon, your Majesty," said Jack.

"Whatever is wrong with that dog with the spots?" asked Fluella.

Jack threw back his head and laughed. "Where have you been? That's a
Dalmatian. They're meant to have spots. It's a pedigree dog."

"What's a pedigree?"

Jack scratched his head as he thought of an answer. "Well, a pedigree
is an animal that is only bred with others of the same breed."

"So it's like a Royal, then? Pure blood?" asked Fluella.

"Yes, I suppose so," sighed Jack.

"Oh super," said Fluella. "Bye Jack. Time for tea."

Fluella stretched her long back legs and jumped on to the spotted dog's
back. She drew back her tongue ready to bite. But no matter how hard
Fluella tried to bite the dog, she found that she couldn't. Something
was stopping her. She jumped off the dog.

"Jack, Jack. Where are you?" Fluella shouted.

"I'm here," answered Jack. "Now what's the matter with Your
Highness?"

"There's something wrong with me Jack. I couldn't bite that dog. Please
help me."

"Where have you been? Don't you know about flea collars?"

"Flea collars. I haven't got a collar," said Fluella.

Jack sighed loudly. "There you go again. Are you daft or what? We don't
wear the flea collar, the animal does. Flea collars are worn to kill
fleas like us."

"Oh how absolutely awful. The Palace dogs never had anything like
that," said Fluella. "Mind you I did hear Madam once say, that Her dogs
could never possibly get fleas."

"That explains why you lasted so long there, then," replied Jack.

"But what shall I do?" asked a tearful Fluella.

"Well love, it's like this. You can either bite them when you can like
me. Or, you can be fussy like you are, and starve. The decision is
yours," replied Jack.

"Couldn't you help me get back to the Palace, Jack?"

"Nah, not unless you know how to get there. Do you?" asked Jack.

"Well no. You see I was asleep when I arrived here."

"There you go then, no chance," said Jack smugly. "Now are you comin'
for tea or not, 'cause I'm starvin'."

Fluella scratched her crown for a few moments. Perhaps she could try
for a time, she thought. She lifted her chin up in the air and said, "I
have made a decision. I shall join you for the time being. However, I
must also point out, that one day I shall return to the Palace."

Jack bowed low. "OK, Your Highness. Now come on, it's time for
tea."

THE END